Yoto announces four new hires from publishing world

Children's audio platform Yoto is doubling the size of its content team with four key hires from the world of publishing.

Ravina Bajwa (pictured) will be joining the London-based start-up as head of production, after previous roles at PRH and Pottermore, including production and editorial responsibility for original audio storytelling experiences for the Wizarding World franchise. Bajwa will focus on developing Yoto’s original content, including interactive and dynamic audio created especially for use with Yoto Player.

Rebecca Oku, formerly associate publisher at Egmont Publishing, will become head of licensed content for the UK. She will be working on expanding Yoto's portfolio of character brands as well as its range of audiobook titles from existing and new publishing partners.

Jessica Maslen joins as head of international licensing, focusing on Yoto’s content acquisition strategy in key European and global markets. She was previously international publishing director at the Blair Partnership, responsible for implementing the publishing launches and strategies of its clients internationally, including those across the Wizarding World for Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts.

Lauren Nazareth joins as product manager to complete the team, and has a background in rights and coedition management at Priddy Books and PI kids. She will take on responsibility for the co-ordination and management of Yoto's card library.

Yoto’s first product is a “clever speaker” for children which uses smartcards to load stories and music onto the device. More than 300 English language audio cards are already available in the platform's catalogue and it is hoped that the expansion of the content team will help expand its range of licensed and original content over the coming months. The new hires will report to Jessica Tarrant, content director, who left Hachette Children's Group in 2019.

Tarrant said: “I’m delighted to welcome some of my most talented peers from the publishing industry to Yoto for the next exciting chapter in our journey. The children’s audio scene has never looked brighter, and with a world-class team of children’s content specialists, Yoto is poised to become the definitive audio platform for kids everywhere.”